Source: Northern_Echo
Franks late goal rescues a draw for Boro
JONATHAN Franks grabbed a late equaliser as Middlesbrough opened their pre-season programme with a 1-1 draw against Turkish side Istanbul BB.[LNB] The first game of Boro's Slovenian tour saw Tony Mowbray use 18 different players and give a first senior outing to former Darlington striker Curtis Main.[LNB] Main was a second-half substitute, with Mowbray starting with Scott McDonald and Lee Miller up front, and a central midfield comprised of Cameron Park and Richie Smallwood.[LNB] Stephen McManus and Matthew Bates played alongside each other at the back, but an eighth-minute slip from the former allowed Tevfik Kose to fire Istanbul ahead.[LNB] The Turks almost doubled their lead before the break, but Danny Coyne, who could yet start the new season as Boro's first-choice goalkeeper in the absence of Jason Steele, tipped Mahmut Tekdemir's free-kick over the crossbar.[LNB] Boro's best chance came shortly after the hour mark, but Main failed to connect with the ball after good link-up play involving Leroy Lita and Adam Reach.[LNB] However, the Teessiders equalised in the 86th minute when Franks controlled the ball on his chest and looped a deft half-volley over the goalkeeper.[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Coyne; McMahon, McManus (Grounds 60), Bates, Bennett; Hoyte (Franks 60), Smallwood (R Williams 70), Park (Bailey 70), Reach (Kink 70); McDonald (Lita 60), Miller (Main 70).[LNB]
